best method to remove primer crimp

[BB Rvlr]

I'm thinking about buying a large quantity of once fired 5.56 (.223) brass to keep my Mini fed and want to know the most efficient method and tool to remove the primer crimp from this brass.

Your experiences would be appreciated.

 

[anachronism]

I use a Hornady primer pocket reamer in a cordless drill. I've done 'lebenty million cases with the same reamer. I liked the Hornady reamer better than Lymans version.

 

[BB Rvlr]

I use a Hornady primer pocket reamer in a cordless drill. I've done 'lebenty million cases with the same reamer. I liked the Hornady reamer better than Lymans version.

When using it with a drill you don't have to worry about making the primer pocket too big or "out of round"?

 

[Rick Courtright]

Hi,

I seldom do any crimped primer cases, so when I do, a regular ol' case chamfering tool is adequate. For larger quantities the tool in the drill oughta knock 'em out quickly enough.

Also, if memory serves, somebody has a tool that swages, rather than cuts, the crimp back to a standard round shape. It's not inexpensive, but if you do a ton of military/crimped brass, I'm sure it would pay for itself. Check RCBS and Dillon...

Rick C

 

[eric conrad]

If you have large quanties of brass to de-crimp the Dillon tool is the best. This is the tool Rick is thinking of.
Eric

 

[Divernhunter]

Dillon Super Swager 600 is the best. I have lee,RCBS and Lyman tools. Still prefer the Dillon unit.

 

[EDK]

The DILLON is the bst $100 you'll spend. The aggravation of the other systems raises PITA to new heights!

Mike Dillon contacted someone for advise when he first started marketing the press. The guy asked him the purpose of the machines and said "why do you buy a drill bit...something to admire or to make a hole." A SUPER SWAGE is a tool for high volume processing.

 

[mikld]

http://www.mcmaster.com/#countersinks/=hshuwa

For many years I have used a plain old 60 degree high speed steel countersink. Las bunch I did was 1k 5.56 once fired military brass w/mixed headstamps. Chuck it in a hand drill and it takes 1/2 second to remove crimp/champher primer pocket...

Depends on what you want; if you just want the job done, use a countersink or similar tool to remove the crimp or you can buy a dedicated tool designed just for one job/purpose for $$$ more.

 

[gerryb158]

RCBS makes a primer pocket swaging tool kit (large and small primer pockets) that I see sells for a bit less than $40. Amazing, as I'm sure I paid less than half that eleventeen years ago. In any case it is a quality device you use with your press. Takes a bit of adjustment but easy to do. Does an excellent job and removes no metal from the case. Will probably last forever or at least close to that. Gerry

 

[anachronism]

I use a Hornady primer pocket reamer in a cordless drill. I've done 'lebenty million cases with the same reamer. I liked the Hornady reamer better than Lymans version.

When using it with a drill you don't have to worry about making the primer pocket too big or "out of round"?

The reamers only cut the top of the primer pocket, where the crimp is. They're designed to bottom out in the pocket before you go too deep. You can buy a hand powered one almost anywhere, and by all means try a few by hand to get the feel of what you're doing. If you're happy with everything, chuck it in the cordless, and have at 'er.

 

[tomisu]

For large quantities, the Dillon Super Swag 600 is well worth the money. Swagging is the prefered method because it does not remove any brass, it reforms the primer pocket.